IML vs Screen Printing vs Labels
Comparison
| IML | Screen print | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooling | label plate USD 1,500–4,000 | screen USD 100–300 | none |
| Unit cost at 100k | lowest | medium | highest |
| MOQ | 50,000 | 10,000 | 5,000 |
| Durability | permanent | wears, fades | peels |
| Food-safe | yes (PP film) | depends on ink | depends on adhesive |
| Cold/wet resistance | excellent | good | poor |
| Lead time | 5–6 weeks | 3–4 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
Where each one wins
IML — a brand that will be seen on a shelf for years, a container that goes through a dishwasher, or a food-contact surface where ink migration is a concern.
Screen print — a short promotional run, a single-colour logo, or a container sold within one season.
Label — a new market test, a design that may change, or a customer who needs stock containers branded in-country.
The cold-chain failure
A pressure-sensitive label on a container that goes from 20°C to −18°C will lift at the edge within weeks. In a freezer cabinet, curled labels are the fastest way to make a product look cheap. If the product is frozen, IML or direct print only.
Ink and food contact
Print on the outside of a container is not in direct food contact, but ink can transfer via hands and stacking. Ask for:
- ink statement of compliance (Swiss Ordinance or equivalent)
- no printing within 5 mm of the rim
- for IML, ink buried under the film — the safest configuration
FAQ
Can IML do photographic images? Yes, with 4-colour process plus white backing. Very fine detail still limits.
Can I change artwork on an IML container mid-order? Only between production runs, and each design needs its own plate.
Next step
Tell us annual volume and whether the product is frozen or washed. We will recommend one method and give the cost at your volume, not the list price.
Related reading
- Private Label Program for Distributors
- IML vs UV Printing on PP Food Containers: Cost, Quality and MOQ Compared
- Custom Logo PP Food Container: OEM Process
Models covered on this site: 750 ml PF-SQ750S · 1000 ml PF-RW1000 · 750 ml PF-GG750 · see all models in this category.
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